C.R.E.A.M.
Wu‐Tang Clan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Word up, look out for the cops (Wu-Tang five finger shit)
(Cash Rules) Word up, two for fives over here baby
Word up, two for fives them niggas got garbage down the way, word up
Know what I'm sayin'?
(Cash Rules Everything Around Me
C.R.E.A.M. get)
Yeah, check this ol' fly shit out
(Cash Rules Everything Around Me) Take you on a natural joint
(C.R.E.A.M. get the money) Here we here we go
(Dolla dolla bill y'all) Check this shit, yo!
I grew up on the crime side, the New York Times side
Staying alive was no jive
Had second hands, moms bounced on old men
So then we moved to Shaolin land
A young youth, yo rockin' the gold tooth, 'Lo goose
Only way, I begin to G off was drug loot
And let's start it like this son, rollin' with this one
And that one, pullin' out gats for fun
But it was just a dream for the teen, who was a fiend
Started smokin' woolas at sixteen
And running up in gates, and doing hits for high stakes
Making my way on fire escapes
No question I would speed, for cracks and weed
The combination made my eyes bleed
No question I would flow off, and try to get the dough all
Sticking up white boys in ball courts
My life got no better, same damn 'Lo sweater
Times is ruff and tuff like leather
Figured out I went the wrong route
So I got with a sick ass click and went all out
Catchin' keys from across seas
Rollin in MPV's, every week we made forty G's
Yo nigga respect mine, or here go the TEC-9
Ch-chick-POW! Move from the gate now
Cash, Rules, Everything, Around, Me
C.R.E.A.M.
Get the money
Dollar, dollar bill y'all
Cash, Rules, Everything, Around, Me
C.R.E.A.M.
Get the money
Dollar, dollar bill y'all
It's been twenty-two long hard years, I'm still strugglin'
Survival got me buggin', but I'm alive on arrival
I peep at the shape of the streets
And stay awake to the ways of the world 'cause shit is deep
A man with a dream with plans to make C.R.E.A.M.
Which failed I went to jail at the age of 15
A young buck sellin' drugs and such who never had much
Trying to get a clutch at what I could not
The court played me short, now I face incarceration
Pacin' going upstate's my destination
Handcuffed in back of a bus, forty of us
Life as a shorty shouldn't be so rough
But as the world turns I learned life is hell
Living in the world no different from a cell
Everyday I escape from Jakes givin' chase, sellin' base
Smokin' bones in the staircase
Though I don't know why I chose to smoke sess
I guess that's the time when I'm not depressed
But I'm still depressed, and I ask what's it worth?
Ready to give up so I seek the Old Earth
Who explained working hard may help you maintain
To learn to overcome the heartaches and pain
We got stickup kids, corrupt cops, and crack rocks
And stray shots, all on the block that stays hot
Leave it up to me while I be living proof
To kick the truth to the young black youth
But shorty's running wild smokin' sess drinkin' beer
And ain't trying to hear what I'm kickin' in his ear
Neglected, for now, but yo, it gots to be accepted
That what? That life is hectic
Cash, Rules, Everything, Around, Me
C.R.E.A.M.
Get the money
Dollar, dollar bill y'all
Cash, Rules, Everything, Around, Me
C.R.E.A.M.
Get the money
Dollar, dollar bill y'all
Cash, Rules, Everything, Around, Me
C.R.E.A.M.
Get the money
Dollar, dollar bill y'all
Cash, Rules, Everything, Around, Me
C.R.E.A.M.
Get the money
Dollar, dollar bill y'all
The Wu-Tang Clan's song "C.R.E.A.M." speaks of the harsh neighborhood life in which the members of the rap group were raised. The song stands for "Cash Rules Everything Around Me," which is followed by the phrase "Get the money, dollar-dollar bill y'all." The song opens with dialogue that seems like a drug deal or some sort of financial transaction. The lyrics are a snapshot of the black community's life in the ghetto, where drugs, crime, and violence are all too common.
The first verse is a description of Ghostface Killah's upbringing on Staten Island's Park Hill Projects, where he had to sell drugs and commit crimes to survive poverty. RZA's verse captures his experiences in Brooklyn's crime-ridden Brownsville neighborhood. The song expresses the frustration felt by these individuals, who are wrapped up in the cycle of poverty, violence, and drug addiction. "C.R.E.A.M." is about being trapped in a materialistic and capitalist world where money has become the ultimate goal due to the lack of other opportunities for these people.
The song is a classic example of Wu-Tang Clan's raw and authentic storytelling style. They don't shy away from discussing the struggles of life in the ghetto, and they don't sugarcoat things with glamorous or unrealistic artifices. Instead, they provide a direct, unflinching, and honest portrayal of their lived reality.
Line by Line Meaning
What that nigga want God?
Asking a question to a fellow member of the Wu-Tang Clan
Word up, look out for the cops (Wu-Tang five finger shit)
Be alert for law enforcement while engaging in illegal activities like theft
(Cash Rules) Word up, two for fives over here baby
Selling drugs for money on the street corner
Word up, two for fives them niggas got garbage down the way, word up
Commenting on the competition's low-quality drugs
Know what I'm sayin'?
Asking for understanding and agreement
(Cash Rules Everything Around Me
C.R.E.A.M. get)
Money is the driving force of everything in life
Yeah, check this ol' fly shit out
Word up
Introducing something impressive and cool
(Cash Rules Everything Around Me) Take you on a natural joint
(C.R.E.A.M. get the money) Here we here we go
(Dolla dolla bill y'all) Check this shit, yo!
Trying to impress someone by offering them a chance to experience something natural and exciting for money
I grew up on the crime side, the New York Times side
Staying alive was no jive
Growing up in a dangerous and violent part of New York City
Had second hands, moms bounced on old men
So then we moved to Shaolin land
Having to navigate family issues and move to a different neighborhood
A young youth, yo rockin' the gold tooth, 'Lo goose
Only way, I begin to G off was drug loot
Starting to sell drugs as a way to make money
And let's start it like this son, rollin' with this one
And that one, pullin' out gats for fun
Hanging out with friends and using guns for entertainment
But it was just a dream for the teen, who was a fiend
Started smokin' woolas at sixteen
Becoming addicted to drugs at a young age
And running up in gates, and doing hits for high stakes
Making my way on fire escapes
Breaking into buildings and robbing them for large sums of money
No question I would speed, for cracks and weed
The combination made my eyes bleed
Using drugs and committing crimes to support drug habit
No question I would flow off, and try to get the dough all
Sticking up white boys in ball courts
Robbing white people in affluent neighborhoods
My life got no better, same damn 'Lo sweater
Times is ruff and tuff like leather
Life never improved, and it remained tough and difficult
Figured out I went the wrong route
So I got with a sick ass click and went all out
Realizing that criminal lifestyle was not the way to go and finding a more hardcore group of criminals to join
Catchin' keys from across seas
Rollin in MPV's, every week we made forty G's
Dealing drugs and making large sums of money
Yo nigga respect mine, or here go the TEC-9
Ch-chick-POW! Move from the gate now
Demanding respect and threatening with a gun
It's been twenty-two long hard years, I'm still strugglin'
Survival got me buggin', but I'm alive on arrival
Reflecting on a long, difficult life but being grateful to still be alive
I peep at the shape of the streets
And stay awake to the ways of the world 'cause shit is deep
Being aware of the streets and the world because the issues and problems are serious
A man with a dream with plans to make C.R.E.A.M.
Which failed I went to jail at the age of 15
Having a dream to make money but failing and getting arrested at a young age
A young buck sellin' drugs and such who never had much
Trying to get a clutch at what I could not
Being poor and lacking resources, trying to make ends meet
The court played me short, now I face incarceration
Pacin' going upstate's my destination
Being sentenced to jail and dreading being sent upstate
Handcuffed in back of a bus, forty of us
Life as a shorty shouldn't be so rough
Being transported to jail with a group of people, reflecting on the rough life of being young in poverty
But as the world turns I learned life is hell
Living in the world no different from a cell
Learning that life is difficult and being poor is like being trapped in a prison
Everyday I escape from Jakes givin' chase, sellin' base
Smokin' bones in the staircase
Evading police while selling drugs and smoking weed
Though I don't know why I chose to smoke sess
I guess that's the time when I'm not depressed
Not knowing why smoking weed makes him feel better, but relying on it to alleviate depression
But I'm still depressed, and I ask what's it worth?
Ready to give up so I seek the Old Earth
Feeling hopeless and searching for guidance from a wise elder
Who explained working hard may help you maintain
To learn to overcome the heartaches and pain
Learning that hard work can help overcome personal struggles and hardships
We got stickup kids, corrupt cops, and crack rocks
And stray shots, all on the block that stays hot
Describing the dangerous and chaotic environment of the neighborhood
Leave it up to me while I be living proof
To kick the truth to the young black youth
Using his personal experiences to teach and guide the younger generation
But shorty's running wild smokin' sess drinkin' beer
And ain't trying to hear what I'm kickin' in his ear
The younger generation is not interested in listening to advice and is engaging in destructive behavior
Neglected, for now, but yo, it gots to be accepted
That what? That life is hectic
Feeling ignored and overlooked, but acknowledging that life is chaotic and unpredictable
(Cash Rules Everything Around Me
C.R.E.A.M. get the money)
Dollar, dollar bill y'all
Cash, Rules, Everything, Around, Me
Reiterating the idea that money is the most important thing in life and that everything revolves around it
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Downtown Music Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Ray Cash, Dennis D. Coles, Robert F. Diggs, Alexander M. Fitts, Gary E. Grice, Lamont Jody Hawkins, Isaac Hayes, Jason S. Hunter, Russell T. Jones, Matt Penttilla, David Porter, Clifford Smith, Corey Woods
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Anthonydu01630
Every songs is a feeling man, thats why we listen to music, because music create emotions. It's not only lyrics and melody, it's a vibe, a frequency ... You can have the best lyrics in the world but if theres no energy and harmony in it most people wont like it. Music must be a reflection of you and your emotional state, it must come from your heart.
You know im french and sometimes i dont understand everything US rappers says, but i know when its real and when its not ... When i hear Numb or savage mode from 21savage i can feel his pain, his anger, his sadness and his frustration to have been a poor ghetto kid, to have made the wrong decision, to have become a gangster, to have lost many friends, almost lost his life and to be addicted to pain killers.
Same when i hear Pain from tupac, codeine crazy from future, my life from Lil wayne and game or lord give me a sign from DMX.
Then when i hear songs like streets is watching, Black gangster, people's court, i shot ya or jigga my nigga from JAYZ i know he really lived that life, i know he was a real drug dealer/gangster ... The lyrics, the energy, the tons, the flow .. It's really like he's telling you his story.
Same with Drake when i hear songs like Marvin's room, aston martin music or find your love i know he talk about a real girl and in songs like im on one, pound cake or over i know he meant everything he said .. Drake is 100%invested in his music, he is so confident he literaly spoke things into existence in im on one he said " And what's up with these new niggas ? And why they think it all comes so easy .. But get it while you here boy, cause all the hype dont feel the same next year boy, Yeahh, and i'll be right here in my spot, with a little more cash than i already got, trippin off you cause you had your shot, with my skin tanned and my hair long and my fan who been so patient, me and forty back to work but we still smell like a vacation, hate the rumors hate your bullshit hate these fucking allegations, im just feeling like the throne is for the taking .. Watch me take it !" ...
And like he said in pound cake "you know it's real when you are who you think you are" 💯💯💯
@imagameriguessb5997
In the sweltering summer of '96, I found myself wandering the streets of Paris, a wide-eyed teenager with dreams as big as the Eiffel Tower. Fate had a twisted sense of humor that day when I stumbled upon a chance encounter with none other than the legendary Wu-Tang Clan.
Lost in the labyrinth of cobblestone alleys, I heard the unmistakable basslines echoing from a hidden courtyard. Curiosity piqued, I followed the sound and found myself in the midst of a impromptu Wu-Tang cipher. Method Man's gravelly voice cut through the thick Parisian air as RZA worked his magic on the decks.
Mesmerized by the spectacle, I couldn't resist jumping in and spitting a few bars of my own. To my surprise, the Clan welcomed me with open arms, impressed by my raw talent. For a brief moment, I felt like I belonged among hip-hop royalty.
But fate had other plans. As the sun dipped below the horizon, darkness descended upon the City of Lights. Caught up in the euphoria of the moment, I let my guard down, only to be blindsided by a group of street thugs. They robbed me of everything I had, leaving me penniless and alone on the unforgiving streets of Paris.
With nowhere to turn, I roamed the city like a ghost, searching for scraps to survive. Nights turned into weeks, and weeks turned into months as I battled the demons of despair. But through it all, the memory of that fateful encounter with the Wu-Tang Clan burned bright, a flickering beacon of hope in the darkness.
And so, with nothing but the clothes on my back and the fire in my soul, I vowed to rise from the ashes like a phoenix, fueled by the music that had once saved me. For even in the darkest of times, the Wu-Tang Clan's legacy of resilience and strength endured, a testament to the power of the human spirit to overcome adversity and triumph against all odds.
@youtubename1485
Respect to all the people who listen old school music. You the real MVP
@LilacZ373
Dunnowhoiam thx, I never was a fan of trap music. TOO generic and it all sounds the same. It's nice to go back to when hip hop had a meaning...
@xtrol4330
Its alright it something new to me and this is fire
@kogareuw
I'm playing LoL rn hello there c:
@danftwgg5999
My story:
First mumble rap
Then eminem and some lyrical new school
Third moved to 2pac
And now i listen to 80's 90's and some cool song from 2000 to 2019
@PlayStationLegendsLounge
DanFTWGG 975 great choice
@nonye1251
This is what I love about hip hop back in the day. The storytelling. By the end of the song u feel like you got a glimpse of their life.
@jay2dab677
It's a shame music like this isn't still being made.
@charlielayton6500
Jay 2DaB it is though listen to some To Pimp a Butterfly, Redemption or 4 Your Eyez Only
@jorgeisaacdoblesmata9137
Word!, today's rappers just rapping trash...bragging about shit.